At least 10 police officers were killed and six more were wounded in an attack on a police station in the town of Dera Ismail Khan in Pakistan’s north-west, officials reported Monday. The attack took place ahead of the country’s national elections scheduled for Thursday, marking an escalation in violence by Islamist militants as the election approaches.
Local official Mohamed Afzal stated that the gunmen overran the police station in a pre-dawn attack, throwing hand grenades before engaging in a prolonged gun battle with the police. This attack, marking the deadliest incident in weeks, underscores the surge in violence by militants in the lead-up to the elections.
The north-western province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, bordering Afghanistan, has experienced a steady rise in violence by militants, particularly since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan. The attack on the police station comes amid escalating tension and security concerns ahead of the upcoming elections.
The surge in violence has raised concerns about the security situation in Pakistan and the potential impact on the electoral process. As the country prepares for the elections, the government faces the challenge of ensuring a safe and secure environment for both voters and candidates amid heightened security threats.
The attack on the police station serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by Islamist militants in the region and the need for robust security measures to safeguard against further violence. The upcoming elections will be closely watched amid the security challenges facing Pakistan, with implications for the country’s stability and political landscape in the coming months.